Hong Kong, August 14, 2009 – The very first triumph in Pool G went to the Netherlands at the third preliminary round of the FIVB World Grand Prix on Friday after the Orange team won the opening match against Poland 25-17, 25-17, 25-13 at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

The Netherlands got off to a flying start (5-1) at the beginning and forced Poland to call for the first timeout. Yet, Poland failed to regain its form even after calling for a second timeout within five minutes. The receiving and setting mistakes made by Poland gave chances to the Netherlands to further widen the gap to 16-7. The fierce attacking and blocking of the Netherlands allowed them to take the first set at 25-17.

Poland seemingly got on the right track in the second set. Points were a lot tightly contested as Poland gained a slight lead (8-7) at the first technical timeout. Poland fell short to control the rally and requested for a timeout at 10-12. The well-drilled defence plus the brilliant movement at the net enabled the Netherlands to lead at the second TTO 16-12. A number of technical errors by Poland left them trailing by seven at 20-13 before the sharp and steeply angled spikes of the Netherlands stretched their lead to 24-16, before closing out the set 25-17.

The Netherlands kept soaring above Poland and quickly led bz four points at the very beginning of the third set. Poland put up little resistance as the gap went up to six at 8-2 at the first TTO. The Netherlands played spectacularly and didn't allow Poland back into the game. The Netherlands captain Manon Flier, who was inspirational on attack, controlled the pace of the game. Poland made several substitutions but could not turn the game around as the Netherlands wrapped up the set abd the game 25-13.